It's time for South Carolina sportsmen and sportswomen to renew their annual hunting and fishing licenses for the 2005-2006 season. Last season's licenses expire officially on June 30.
The prices of most hunting and fishing licenses for the upcoming 2005-2006 South Carolina hunting season remain the same as last season.
The Commercial Fur Harvest License has been increased from $10 to $25
annually for residents and from $100 to $200 for nonresidents. A new $9 Senior Statewide Hunting and Fishing Lifetime License will replace the old gratis license, which was free for state residents age 65 and above, but residents born on or before July 1, 1940 can still obtain the free gratis license. The new $9 senior license will afford expanded benefits for 64-year-old residents, compared to last season’s license for 64 year olds.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sells hunting and fishing licenses at its Columbia headquarters in the Rembert Dennis Building at 1000 Assembly St., DNR field offices statewide and through many retail businesses across the state. Licenses for the upcoming 2005-2006 season went on sale June 16 and are valid immediately after purchase.
Perhaps of greatest interest among the public are the changes in hunting and fishing licenses for senior residents. Residents born on or before July 1, 1940 will still be able to obtain the gratis license, free of charge. State residents born after July 1, 1940 will need to purchase the new $9 Senior Statewide Hunting and Fishing lifetime License. The new senior lifetime license, for residents age 64 and above, includes privileges that cover not only hunting and fishing licenses and big game permit, but also the Wildlife Management Area permit (a $30.50 annual permit), the state duck stamp (a $5.50 annual stamp), and the Saltwater Marine Recreational Fisheries License (a $10 annual license).
New changes in state furbearer trapping regulations have
increased the Commercial Fur Harvest License from $10 to $25 annually
for residents a